Mothers rate Medway as one of top Trusts for maternity care

Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s maternity unit has been ranked by patients as one of the country’s best-performing services for women, babies and their families, in the 2018 Maternity Survey.

The national study, carried out partly by the Picker Institute Europe, is published annually by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide feedback on the experiences of women using NHS maternity services in England.

Key findings from Picker’s analysis show that Medway’s ‘overall positive score ranking’ was second out of the 69 Trusts involved in the study; 100 per cent of respondents said the Trust treated them with respect and dignity; and a further 100 per cent said they had confidence in the Trust’s maternity staff.

The results are released in the same month that the team – based at Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham – was shortlisted for the prestigious Royal College of Midwives (RCM) ‘Midwifery Service of the Year’ Award.

Maternity services at the Trust were also rated ‘outstanding’ in the caring domain by the CQC, and ‘good’ overall, during its last inspection.

Reflecting on the results of the survey, the Trust’s Head of Midwifery, Dot Smith, said: “We are incredibly proud that the brilliant work being carried out by our maternity unit has been reflected in the study.

“Our staff work tirelessly to deliver safe and high quality care, working with women, to provide a truly women-centred service for Medway and Swale. This is a real testament to their efforts and dedication.”

Medway NHS Trust Chief Executive, James Devine, added: “Our maternity staff provide a real example of the brilliant care we want to offer at Medway, and we are extremely proud of them.

“It’s great to see such positive feedback from the survey; this is a true recognition of the consistently outstanding work being carried out by our midwifery colleagues.”